RUMFORD — Two local men with extensive criminal histories are charged with stealing a car Wednesday morning and intentionally crashing it into a minivan driven by a witness to the theft, Police Chief Tony Milligan said Thursday.
Luis Alberto Rivera Jr., 40, and Troy James Blanchard, 35, were taken into custody at an apartment building on Falmouth Street after twice fleeing from police, according to the Police Department Facebook page. They were taken to the Oxford County Jail in South Paris for an expected court appearance Friday.
The pair are accused of stealing a 2013 Chrysler sedan from a resident of Strathglass Park. A relative of the car’s owner was leaving the park in a minivan and saw the men preparing to steal the vehicle, Milligan said. The relative circled back onto Hancock Street, turned onto Erchless Street and attempted to stop them, but Rivera intentionally crashed into the minivan.
The relative suffered facial injuries and was treated at the scene shortly after 8 a.m. by MedCare Ambulance personnel who responded to the crash along with Rumford police and fire departments.
Rivera and Blanchard fled the scene on foot toward Lincoln Avenue. When police found them a few blocks away in an apartment building at 33 Falmouth St. they attempted to flee again but were apprehended without further incident.
Police said the incident occurred in a densely populated residential area near a day care and an elementary school when children were walking to school or waiting for buses.
Rivera, who was out on bail for an unrelated charge of felony possession of fentanyl, had a court order not to commit any new criminal offenses. He was charged with felony theft of a motor vehicle, felony aggravated criminal mischief, terrorizing, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, refusing to submit to arrest or detention, and violation of conditions of release.
Blanchard was charged with felony theft of a motor vehicle, felony aggravated criminal mischief, and refusing to submit to arrest or detention. He was also arrested on a warrant listing two counts of terrorizing and one count of refusing to submit to arrest or detention from an incident Jan. 8.
“Rivera and Blanchard’s actions today exemplify their utter disregard for court-ordered conditions and the safety of others,” Milligan said.
“Both individuals have extensive felony records in Maine, and prior bail and probation conditions, and convictions have failed to deter their criminal behavior or protect the community,” he said. “In light of their demonstrated history of violence, threats to law enforcement, and total disregard for judicial authority, I have formally requested that the court consider no bail for these dangerous individuals. Granting any form of bail or release would not only undermine public safety but would also fail to uphold the integrity of the judicial process.”
Both men are expected to be arraigned Friday in an Oxford County court in South Paris.
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